Google Books Settlement A Possible Path To Resolution Of Digital Content Disputes 30/10/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Google’s groundbreaking settlement of copyright infringement claims by authors and book publishers this week resonates beyond the United States, the European Commission and a UK copyright lawyer said. While the agreement affects only US users of Google Book Search, it points the way toward possible solutions to the […]
Push Continues For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment, Geographical Indications Extension 30/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara The push to amend the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property rights has not receded, as made clear this week by proponents of wider protection for geographical indications and using the patent system to safeguard biodiversity and traditional knowledge. But opponents remain steadfast. Meanwhile, the search is on for a new […]
WIPO Pitches Proposed Programme Of Strategic Realignment 29/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New A few weeks after its new director general took office, the World Intellectual Property Organization has announced a programme of strategic realignment in the secretariat aimed at opening up the organisation and improving the focus on customer service. The plan includes creating 22 new posts, making permanent some 30 other contract employees, […]
Improbable Match: Open Licences And Collecting Societies In Europe 28/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Catherine Saez A French musical group has signed a contract with French collecting society Sacem allowing the exclusion of the group’s internet rights that some claim opens a door to a new model where authors could manage their internet rights while the collecting society administers all other rights related to the use of the […]
Blind Readers Seek Guarantee Of Access Under EU Copyright Law 27/10/2008 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – Exceptions to European Union copyright rules designed to allow blind people access to publications should be made legally binding, according to disability rights organisations. In July, the European Commission opened a public consultation exercise on whether a central piece of EU law on intellectual property needs […]
New Arab Group Aims At Protecting Local Products With Geographical Origins 27/10/2008 by Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch In a bid to harness the significant value of geographical indications to the economies of the 22 member states of the Arab League, an Arab Society for Geographical Indications (ASGI) has been proposed. This was announced by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, president of the private-sector Arab Society for Intellectual Property […]
Panel: WTO Cross-Retaliation Could Bring Compliance But Political Pressure High 24/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez Inducing compliance, after a favourable ruling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body, from countries which breached international trade rules can prove difficult, especially for developing countries. For many of them, retaliation in a trade sector unrelated to the one affected by the violation of WTO rules may be the only viable option, although the major obstacles are not legal but political, according to speakers at a roundtable held on Friday in Geneva.
TRIPS May Evolve To Keep Pace With Modern IP Concerns 24/10/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Dugie Standeford and Kaitlin Mara The World Trade Organization Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) is being “recalibrated” as developing and developed countries challenge old assumptions, Vanderbilt University law professor Daniel Gervais said this week. The first international accord to link intellectual property and trade has entered its third “narrative,” in which […]
Indigenous People Seek Recognition At WIPO Meeting On Their Rights 23/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Kaitlin Mara Indigenous groups are looking for better representation at the United Nations body negotiating on issues related to the protection of their traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. At the World Intellectual Property Organization last week, indigenous groups, member states, and interested non-governmental organisations came together for the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property […]
Le Comité de l’OMPI sur les savoirs traditionnels et le folklore ne parvient pas à trouver d’accord 23/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par Kaitlin Mara Vendredi dernier, en fin de soirée, ce sont des représentants gouvernementaux épuisés qui ont dû admettre que les négociations internationales relatives aux savoirs traditionnels et au folklore qui se sont déroulées à l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI) étaient dans l’impasse. « Nous n’avons pas trouvé d’accord », a déclaré le […]